Victoria's Best Photo Opportunities

Victoria is full of magical photo opportunities that will bring back memories for years to come. Whether you're into landscapes, urban shots, architecture or wildlife images, there's something for everyone. As a city surrounded by ocean and mountains and filled with beautiful gardens and historic buildings, there are plenty of stunning backdrops to fill your frames. So get out there, get creative and don't forget to say cheese!

1. ROMANTIC SPOT: Abkhazi Garden

What better spot to go for a romantic photo than in the 'garden that love built.' Located in Oak Bay, the Abkhazi Garden, a 1.4-acre site overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains, is the labour of love of Princess Peggy and Prince Nicolas Abkhazi. Their love affair lasted 70 years, spanned three continents and survived the Second World War. They eventually landed in Victoria where they purchased the land in 1946. For the rest of their lives the gardens, which adorn the property today, were their labour of love. Today the property, which is tended by the land conservancy of BC, boasts the Abkhazi's heritage home, an internationally renowned collection of rhododendrons, Japanese Maples and harmoniously arranged beds among native Garry oaks. The gardens, laid out with loving perfection and set against a backdrop of ocean and mountain vistas, make a perfect setting for romance.

1964 Fairfield Road
Victoria, British Columbia
877-485-2422

2. QUIRKY SPOT: Ogden Point

Walk out into the ocean (without getting wet feet) along the narrow breakwater at Ogden Point. This spot marks the start of the scenic Dallas Road waterfront walkway to the south, and protects the deep-water port (where massive cruise ships come in) to the north. It's a 2500-foot rubble mound breakwater capped with granite blocks and a concrete superstructure that stretches out into the ocean to a small white lighthouse at the end. No matter what the weather, a stroll out along the jetty puts you in position for some quirky photo ops. On a sunny day, the long concrete walkway presents plenty of interesting angles with ocean and mountain backdrops, or a chance to position yourself in front of the unbelievably large cruise ships often docked at Ogden Pt. On a foggy day, you'll have a sense of floating above the ocean as the breakwater disappears into the mist. Just be sure to watch where you're going as the jetty has no guardrails.

199 Dallas Road
Victoria, British Columbia
V8V 1A2

3. FUN, FAMILY SPOT: Beacon Hill Children's Farm

Everyone loves cute furry animals and what better memento of your family trip than a photo at the Beacon Hill Children's Farm. The farm, located in the middle of Beacon Hill Park, is home to alpacas, Shetland sheep, and pot-bellied pigs to name a few. Take the kids to the popular African pygmy goat petting area to get up-close and personal with the animals. Or, if you're there during feeding time (which happens a couple of times a day), stand back, get you're your camera ready and watch the mini goat stampede. As the staff open up the petting area gates the little goats storm out all at once to be the first to get their dinner. It's always a hit with the kids!

Hours: Open 10AM-4PM. Entry by donation. Open end of Feb to mid-October

From the 699 ft. summit of Mount Doug you'll be treated to panoramic, 360-degree views of the city, the Saanich peninsula, the surrounding ocean and BC's coast range, the Cascade Mountains and the Mountains of the Olympic peninsula. The park surrounding Mount Doug is located five miles (8 km) northeast of Victoria at the north end of Shelbourne Street. There's a network of hiking trails that takes you to the top, or you can continue for less than a mile (1.5 km) up Churchill Drive to the summit parking lot. This is not only a trip for daylight hours-if you venture up Mount Doug on a clear night you'll be treated to an amazing starscape and the twinkling lights of Victoria.

5. CLASSIC: In front of the Parliament Buildings

If you search for images of Victoria, one that comes up again and again is the iconic Parliament Buildings. The impressive stone structure, which sits in the heart of the Inner Harbour downtown, is definitely a classic spot to pose for a picture or two. The soldier statue commemorating the province's WWI, WWII and Korean War casualties or the statue of Queen Victoria are great photo companions with the parliament as your backdrop. If you're looking to experiment a little, stop by one evening after dark when the buildings' outlines are adorned with over 3300 white lights.